There is no standard the specifically requires students to know the chemical symbols for common elements in the periodic table. However if students cannot make connections between the chemical symbols and the elements they represent then the understanding of molecules is not relevant. When students look at simple molecules, the elements that are represented must have some meaning.

This lesson is a foundation piece needed for (MS-PS1-1Develop modelsto describethe atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.) Students can make better sense of the molecules if they can attach a chemical name to an atomic symbol. Students will critically read through summaries of element name origins to discover patterns in naming conventions. (SP8Obtaining Evaluating, and Communicating Information).

I am not a big fan of memorizing the elements. Memorizing takes the learning out of context making it difficult for long term retention of knowledge. The Element Scavenger Hunt and Puns homework assignment are a fun way for students to begin learning the chemical symbols by working with the elements. In the subsequent lessons for this unit (Decomposing Sucrose, Decomposing Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate and Decomposing Hydrogen Peroxide) students will break down the molecule as they understand the chemical equation. Continued exposure through practice will help students learn and retain the element symbols much longer than simply memorizing them.

Students need to be able to communicate their knowledge as scientists. Not knowing how to read the chemical symbols will hinder their ability to evaluate information containing chemical symbols or share accurately their findings using chemical symbols.

Beginning with the End in Mind

Backwards Planning: Beginning with the End in Mind

Element Scavenger Hunts

Element Scavenger Hunts

Unit 4: Chemistry
Lesson 1 of 7

Objective: SWBAT make general observations about how the elements of the periodic table are named.

Big Idea:
Do I have to memorize the elements of the periodic table?

Students need to be able to recognize the atomic symbols of the Periodic Table of Elements. But are flash cards really necessary? If students have multiple opportunities to use chemicals in the table or work with the table itself, than they should not have to memorize the table.

This lesson was inspired by a now archived website, Armchair Chemistry by Eric Streitberger. I have formatted the lab to fit in a journal and modified the text as needed to support the learning of my students.

This lesson is a foundation piece needed for (MS-PS1-1Develop modelsto describethe atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.) Students can make better sense of the molecules if they can attach a chemical name to an atomic symbol. Students will critically read through summaries of element name origins to discover patterns in naming conventions. (SP8Obtaining Evaluating, and Communicating Information).

This lesson is a step towards preparing students for:

Identification an atom as the building block of every “thing”.

Understanding that when atoms combine we call the resulting form molecules.

Exploring how atoms combine in many many ways to create all of the different “things”.

Understanding the structure of atom.

How we organize atoms using a periodic table.

Modeling of atom using stick and ball.

Changing an atoms number of electrons, protons, neutrons.

Making connections to the stick and ball model as a pathway to read an element on the periodic table.

Learning how to read simple elements on table, and to model with stick and ball structure.

Learning a few more complex atoms (not too complex) built off of simple by changing proton, electron, neutron numbers.

As we embark on our journey into chemistry, students are concerned about learning the atomic symbol for the elements in the periodic table. At first glance, very few elements are recognizable and the names appear to be random.

Since many of my students are Harry Potter fans, I share with them this short video of Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) singing the Element Song written by Tom Lehrer.

Students work on this lesson with their elbow partner.

When students finish the scavenger hunt, we compare answers as a class. We find that there are some variations in the possible answers. As long as students can provide an explanation for their selection we agree as a class to accept their answers. For instance, you can drive a Mercury and a Neon.

Resources (2)

Resources

Students are given the Periodic Table of Element Puns about various elements in the Periodic Table for homework. It is another fun way to get to know the elements without using flashcards.

I tell students that in future labs, we will be working with chemicals and examine the elements in each. Using chemicals, examining chemical equations and referencing the periodic table will help them learn the chemical symbols for many of the most common elements.